Page:Czecho-Slovak Student Life, Volume 18.djvu/163
Prominent Americans of Czechoslovak Ancestry.
In this issue: Mr. J. S. Zamecnik, Dr. Hynek Dostál.
Among the prominent Americans of Czechoslovak ancestry who have earned for themselves an enviable position among their fellow citizens is J. S. Zamecnik, who has become one of our foremost American composers. He is a noted figure, particularly in the movie world, for nowadays when the great picture corporations of America wish to enhance an outstanding production of theirs, they invariably call upon Mr. Zamecnik to score the music for the picture. Notable examples of this are Famous Players Lasky engaging him to score the music for “Wings”, one of the greatest pictures ever turned out by that company, as well as for two other great Paramount pictures, “The Rough Riders” and “Old Ironsides”. That he acquitted himself marvelously of his task is attested by all the critics, who unanimously credit Mr. Zamecnik with having enhanced the silent drama in no small degree.
Though Mr. Zamecnik is a native of the state of Ohio, he is of Czech parents, and was fortunate enough to receive his musical education at the world famous Prague Conservatory under no less a figure than the eminent Czech composer, Antonín Dvořák. Upon his return to this country, he joined the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in the capacity of violinist under the baton of Victor Herbert of musical comedy fame. Under such an influence during the formative stage of his musical life, it is little wonder that Mr. Zamecnik was to enjoy a wonderful career in the world of music, for both Dvořák and Herbert are world famous composers, and universally acknowledged masters in that field.
Even at an early period his inclination to composition manifested itself, and Mr. Zamecnik soon left his post in Victor Herbert’s orchestra to devote all his time to his chosen activity, namely that of seeking a broader means of expression by composing, edit-